The qualities that ROTC training instills will be vital to a productive and rewarding future.

Army ROTC is offered at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the country. It is an elective course that provides a combination of academics and important hands-on training.

You'll be offered physical and mental challenges geared to help you succeed in college and beyond.

You will learn teamwork and be given responsibilities like teaching younger cadets the same skills you have learned.

For its many benefits, Army ROTC requires only a few hours a week. So it won't interfere with your required college curriculum or social life.

What is My Obligation?

There is no military obligation for taking introductory "basic" courses (freshman and sophomore years). Once you accept a federal scholarship or enter advanced courses (junior and senior years), you incur an obligation for officer service upon graduation. You may be guaranteed assignment to Reserve duty or compete for Active duty; the initial active duty obligation is for 3 or 4 years.

The Four-Year Program and Scholarship Opportunities

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH US ARMY ROTC

The cost of a college education is escalating all the time. To help you meet these rising costs, Army ROTC offers four-, three- and two-year scholarships, awarded strictly on merit, to the most outstanding students who apply. These scholarships pay:

You may be eligible for a four-year scholarship if you are preparing to enter college as a freshman and meet the following qualifications/requirements;

Be a U.S. Citizen.

Be 17 years old before the scholarship is effective.

Take the SAT or ACT no later than November of the year you apply

(must have a minimum 920 SAT or composite 19 ACT) .

Have good high school grades.

Participate in leadership, extracurricular and athletic activities.

(Students with part-time jobs will be given substitute credit.)

Be under 27 years old on June 30 of the year you expect to graduate and receive your officer's commission.

(An age extension of up to three years may be granted to veterans who qualify.)

Be a high school graduate or have equivalent credit.

Pursue an Army approved academic major.

Agree to accept a commission as either a Regular Army, Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve officer.

Meet required physical standards.

Selection of winners is based on

the results of the SAT or ACT tests,

school officials' evaluations,

extracurricular, leadership and athletic activities,

a personal interview and a Physical Aptitude Examination.

Illinois State ROTC Scholarship

Illinois State ROTC Campus Based Scholarship is a one to four year scholarship that pays full tuition, athletic and activity fees. It is awarded by the Chairman, Department of Military Science, on a competitive basis to students enrolled in Military Science classes. Up to 10 scholarships are awarded to each class. Once awarded, the scholarships are retained as long as the student is in good standing in the ROTC Program. Application for the scholarship should be made to the Chairman, Department of Military Science, EIU. Applicants are not required to be enrolled in a Military Science course at the time of application

In-State Tuition Waiver (ISTW)

Pays 100% tuition and 2 fees

Must be progressing toward commissioning

Pass or improvement on APFT

Pass or significant improvement on Height, Weight standards

Maintain 2.5 GPA

Illinois State ROTC Transfer Student Scholarship is awarded by State Community Colleges to students transferring to EIU and entering the ROTC Program. The scholarship pays 100% tuition, athletic and activity fees. Each Community College has up to three scholarships per year. The Chairman, Department of Military Science, certifies enrollment in the Army ROTC Program and the Scholarship is awarded by each Community College on a competitive basis. Applications should be made to the Chairman, Department of Military Science, Eastern Illinois University. Applicants are not required to be enrolled in a Military Science course at the time of application. All students will be counseled of their responsibility to maintain the Illinois General Assembly Scholarship.

ROTC Transfer Scholarship

Each CC in Illinois has up to 3 per year

Pays 100% tuition and 2 fees

Must be progressing toward commissioning

Pass or improvement on APFT

Pass or significant improvement on Height, Weight standards

Maintain 2.5 GPA

Illinois National Guard Program

The Illinois National Guard Grant pays tuition and eligible fees (registration, graduation, and general activity fees) at all Illinois 2- or 4-year public colleges. The applicant must be active in the Illinois National Guard and have served for at least one year. Enlisted persons currently serving and C company grade officers are eligible for the grant. The Illinois National Guard Grant is an entitlement program and is awarded to eligible recipients regardless of the funding level. A grant recipient is entitled to receive payment of tuition and eligible fees for a period equivalent to 8 semesters of full-time enrollment. This grant can be used for either undergraduate or graduate enrollment. A recipient may not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant. There is no minimum enrollment requirement and non-credit courses are eligible for the Illinois National Guard Grant. To apply a student must file an Illinois National Guard Grant Application annually indicating the institution they plan to attend. Eligibility in one academic year does not carry over to future years. The deadline dates for applications are October 1 - first term, March 1 - second semester, and June 15 - summer term. More detailed application requirements and the application are available online at www.collegezone.com.

GRFD Scholarship (2 or 3 year) – Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty

Must go into Reserve component

Be a U.S. citizen

Be between ages 17 and 27

Have a College GPA of at least 2.5

Have a high school diploma or equivalent

Score minimum 920 on the SAT or 19 on the ACT

Meet physical standards

Same benefits as ROTC federal scholarship

Receive GI Bill @ $288 per month

Receive Kicker @ $350 per month

Receive Book Allowance @ $1200 per year

Drill pay at E-5 pay grade ($250 per month)

Monthly Subsistence allowance (if contracted) $350 -$500 per month

What Else Does the Program Offer?

Army ROTC cadets put their leadership studies into action during a field training exercise each semester. These weekend activities are required for students in advanced courses, but are optional for most other students.

These exercises include.........helicopter flights, rifle marksmanship, other exciting training, and a cookout.

Students can also participate in ROTC extracurricular activities. The Ranger Challenge Team competes in military skills against other schools. The Panther Guards drill team performs competitively in precision drill with weapons. ROTC social activities include picnics at the beginning and end of the school year, a formal "Dining-Out" in the fall, and Military Ball in the spring. Cadets may also apply for summer internships at Army posts and special military training such as Airborne and Northern Warfare Training.

How Can Army ROTC Benefit Me?

Army ROTC can help you be successful during college and afterward.

You'll gain the confidence, self-discipline, and skills necessary to succeed in school and in business

You'll acquire leadership skills and credentials which will impress employers and put you ahead of your peers when you are seeking that job after graduation.

Your degree will get you the interview, but ROTC will help get you the job because of the practical experience.

The Two Year Program

If you miss the first two years of ROTC .......... but you are.......

a graduate of a junior or community college, OR

entering a two-year postgraduate course of study, OR

a high school student planning to attend a Military Junior College,

you may still qualify for a Commission through the Two-Year Program. In this program you first attend the ROTC Basic Camp "Camp Challenge" for five weeks ( you receive a pay check while participating in the training).............

Upon successful completion of Camp Challenge, you'll be eligible for the Advanced Course.Interested students should contact our Enrollment & Scholarship Officer Captain Thomas Taylor at 217-581-5944 or send an email to cdrotc@eiu.edu for further information.